E=mC63

Alright so I hear many c63 owners use the valentine 1 radar, but I was looking into the 9500ix and was wondering which might be better? I only drive in the city (live in LA) and rarely on the freeway and I may be purchasing a used one since you can update these radars online. What would be the best decision, considering that the escort would be around $50 more?

Valentine 1 Radar
or
Passport Escort 9500ix

tomespo

I have had my V1 since 2010 and I have 0 complaints. Great product

Blown63

Valentine 1 Radar all the way I would recommend turning off the x band and you will be all set. Here is a link how:

CoolBDPhenom03

That's a great video. Watched both when I was programming mine. I heavily considered the Escort Redline, but ultimately went with the V1.

m a x i m u s

I've had my V1 since 2003. Two tickets since.

Djmouz63

I have a few things to say first I have had the passport for with my current car and my s4 before it and have 0 complaints but I also want to say that if you are one who is accustomed to speeding as I am a lot you know when and where to do it safely assuming you don't leave your familiar area. However when I am out of town it is nice to have the comfort of radar and the only reason I would suggest trying valentine would be that it is the only radar "I" know of that can tell you direction. Honestly I have the escort and the jammers that integrate with it but have been lazy to install but would highly suggest the investment as most of the time if a cop is using laser it's going to be too little too late! Best of luck and sorry about the ramble, just my 2 cents

E=mC63

I guess hands down v1. How come choose the v1 over the 9500ix? Is it the sensitivity?

m a x i m u s

I don't have any experience with the 9500ix, honestly, but I can't do without the V1's bogey counter and directional arrows. Plus I love the optional remote display.

cyberorth

I actually turned off both x and k bands for SoCal. Never seen a cop with a k band. I have used v1 since 2000 and have had no speeding tickets since.

CoolBDPhenom03

Everything m a x i m u s said.

The only devices in Cali that use k band are speed check signs and door sensors. I turned x and k bands off. They're still not fool proof. The ticket I got the day I picked up this car was LIDAR and I was armed with a V1. He sniped me coming around a blind corner...but he could probably hear me coming

E=mC63

Went and got a valentine one, Thanks! How do I upgrade the software? Do I have to send it in...?

Blown63

Here is a link put your serial number in an it tells if an upgrade is needed but I don't think to many upgrades are out did you order new or used?

https://store.valentine1.com/upgrades/

E=mC63

I ordered it off craigslist, and damn! My luck, it's a v1.7 on 2.XXX. The upgrade is $280 + Shippng...

CoolBDPhenom03

Yes, it was like $50 or something.

m a x i m u s

yeah, i assume the sw upgrade price depends on how out of date your model is. mine is 10 years old and my upgrade was in the $200 range.

tfthach13

I know it's a bit late, since the OP already made the purchase, but I heard that the Passport is good for local/city driving while the V1 is better on the freeways. Any truth to this from those with experience with radars?

esses

i have both - v1 in my gt3; 9500ix in the c63. there is little or no difference in sensitivity to actual radar traps, however, i think the escort may do a better job at filtering out false alerts.

i also have a laser interceptor in the c63, and it has saved me twice already.

if i could only have one, i would probably go with the laser interceptor, as it seems more traps are using laser than radar guns - though certainly depends on your area.

Valvestud

All,

I have used both and I am currently using the 9500ix. I can definitely state that the V1 is superior in all regards, except for the fact that Valentine so far has refused to add fixed speed trap database functionality.

The 9500ix is so bad that I'm likely to go back to V1. The filtering of false alerts on the V1 is unsurpassed in my opinion. I just wish Valentine would add fixed (non radar) traps.

Regards,

Joe

ZephyrAMG

Just bought a Valentine 1. Had the 9500xi. I like the V1 because of direction, number of signals and the strength of signals.

Both are sensitive but I felt that the 9500xi was WAYY too sensitive and the V1 just does a great job without the talking...

I have yet to watch the video. I am hoping that because I just bought the V1 a few weeks ago it is the updated version...

Guilty

When I had my old C-Class, I bought the 9500ix (that I'm actually still using now). It was working perfectly. I have disabled K and X bands so that it never falses. When I got the CL, the RD is not working as good as it used to be. The GPS function rarely gets any signal (so it never warns about red light cameras anymore) + it's not as sensitive as it used to be. Sometimes I see the patrol car before it goes off. My guess is that my windshield is a bit too thick so it makes the RD less effective. I just placed an order for a Valentine One, we'll see how it goes.

slfmde

9500ix no complaints and it's saved my *** more than a few times.

E=mC63

Yeah just had my valentine for about 3 days before I decided mine was too outdated. I loved the arrows, but wasn't good enough for the city. I am trying to sell it now and I am getting the 9500ix for city for my c class.

tonyep

I have escort 9500ci hardwired to the car I frequently go over the limit and a V1 that I use for the rest of my stable. I turned K and X off on mine for both.

DuaneC63

V-1 work fine in the city if you turn of the X and K bands. In California all the police and highway patrol use Ka and Laser.

PaulWdz

Just as a data point, the 9500ix can be paired (BT) with your iPhone ESCORT app and get live speed trap and radar updates. Thought that was a cool feature. Not sure if the V1 offers something similar.